The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-12-04
INA MIRACULOUS CAVE.
A Visit to the Cavern Sacred to the
Memory of Mary Magdalen.

y III q Nlo4b W q SdfO W GANn
the repentant Msgdalen is said to have
retired after her conversion, and in
which solemn mass is performed on
certain day in the year sacred to Mary
Magdalen, or LA Madeline" as she is
there called, We set off early in the
morning on horseback, accompanied
By an attendant on foot, After leaving
the house of my friend We skirted th
mountain side for some distance, pass
ing through small mining village
called, from its being the only place in
that neighborhood where tolerably
large number of trees are to be found,
LA Arbolera," we began our climb to
the higher peaks of the mountaiu over
which we had to pass.
There being no properly defined road,
our path was at one time a mule track,
and at another dry Water-course,
where the horses had just TO N to pass
their feet without cutting" and
where, at times, they would have to
firmly plant their fore feet and bring
up their hind ones with spring al
most sufficient to unS-at an mex
perlenced rider. II being mucn easier
tor the hardy mountaiueers to climb
on foot, we were passed by Gu2lbeTs OF
men and women dressed III their gay
holiday attire, some leading mules or
donkeys laden with provisions for the
partv, or with fruit and other eatableS
for sale. Arriving at large plaEeau
near tie summit, We came across a
number Of people who we're employed
oAt - tah
nected, so as q mark 0E honor they
formed into procession behind rs aud
commenced chanting g hymn 10 LA
Madelina," playing al accompaniment
on theu guitars. The effect was splen-
did. On the summit of a high moan
tain, the sun shining IN all is glory,
vuitures overhead; rugged peaks Is Jar
as the eye could reach on two sides, and
TIE Bay of BiScaY, calm and blue, and
dotted here and there with t hing
BOATS, on the other; this, With the gay
costumes Of the peasantry, mad up
scene the remembrance OF which can
onlv depart with life. 'UnfCrtuns tely
the horse upon which my friend was
mounted was, though splendid ami
NAL, rather nervous, and being annoyed
with the music, began prAuCing as we
we're passing over r9eSt dangerous
piece Of rock, which formed q sort Of
precipice on one side. Though q coed
horseman, he was obliged to dismount
and request the musicians to cease
playing, as the rolling eye end trem-
bling frag,.e Of his steed betoseued
mischief. Not being inclined TO dis
mount in fact, not feeling in form for
q walg for any distance, having been
but z few days out o. Il Spanish hospital
i gathered up the bride Of my horse,
and, touching MIN up With the spar, ha
took ne over II safety. aud after az
other rough ride of perhaps bali an
hours duration, We arrived IN sight OF
the cava.
Imagine q wall ct rock some hun.
dreds Of fest deep and or great width,
in which is the mouth OF cavern as
large as the front of - COED sized house,
and which was approached by q mar -.
row path along the SiGa Of the rock.
AS we made our way nearer we could
see the entrance filed With a throng ot
persons, forming q sight which any
artist might be proud TO transfer to
canvas, foz what with the huge rock :,
the bright costumes OF -tha people, the
gaiIV cap&Tisoued horses and mules and
the manned beggars, the latter being
an accompaniment &c every fete in
Spain, tire view was one we'll deserv-
ing The name of both grand and beau
tifuI.
Having arrived at the entrance, We
left the horses IL care Of the attendant
and wentjuside, wherewe were politely
saluted By the padres" Or priests in
attendance. After MSS had been
celebrated in small chapel formed in |
a cre7ics OF the rock, we watched for
time tie men aud T12lel, perform g |
Spanish dance to the music Of guitars |
and tam bourines. then purchasing
some fresh figs, which had app arently !
been gathered that morning, we prof.
ceeded farther into TIE interior. The |
cave retains its vast size for distance /
of about & hundred yards, when it !
branches into several smaller galleries, !.
and wus supposed 10 extend or miles
through fhe mOuntsin; hut since my |
return 10 England l nave had letter |
f. ON ny friend. stating th0t he and |
Others have made th9reaEh e1pl0ra-
non oi she place, an accouut Of which
We in his own words: I've took Eve
lamps, two packets OF cs7ICies, aud 3
bundle of old new opa paTs which we
tore up in bits and scattered Is we went
along, in order that ~ might be able
to retrace our steps. We spent two and
q half npurs inside, sna explored every
branch of t;e cave 10 the end thus
proving false the tales ABOUT its extent.
We brought away a goDdiy collection
of Observation-Disclosures, vegetable and
animal the latter being an enormous
being divided as to it's
being vampire" The cave is lined
with several varieties of ferns and
licheus; and through the middle runs
stream, 10 the waters of which tradition
gives the merit Of being the overflow
lug tears of the repentant Msgdaien |
Within the cave the stream can be
crossed on stones. but ut the mouth is
"a Old rustic stone bridge, which has
5erg good effect. Not being a6le to eat |
al the fgs | had bought, they being Of
-stheE sicbly flavor when fresh, they
.e1s offered TO child, who soon dis
posed Of them: and paying" our way
trough he string of heggars, VINO
make point of showing their mutiia-
ions and diseases in most disgusting
manner, We threw ourselves down
beside the horses whilst Angelo, the
,Ioom, went have a dance. On his
ejolning hs we started for home, but
N descending the mountain my com
,anion sgain dism0unted remarking
l.,